U.S. patent application number 12/612462 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for steering axle.
Invention is credited to Oswaldo De Freitas Junior.
Application Number | 20110101771 12/612462 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43924613 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110101771 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Freitas Junior; Oswaldo |
May 5, 2011 |
STEERING AXLE
Abstract
One embodiment of a steering axle may include a hollow tube
having a pair of end portions. The steering axle may also include a
pair of inserts coupled to a respective one of the end portions for
reinforcing the same.
Inventors: |
De Freitas Junior; Oswaldo;
(Oakland Twp., MI) |
Family ID: |
43924613 |
Appl. No.: |
12/612462 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
301/124.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60B 35/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
301/124.1 |
International
Class: |
B60B 35/08 20060101
B60B035/08 |
Claims
1. A steering axle, comprising: a hollow tube having a pair of end
portions; and a pair of inserts coupled to a respective one of the
pair of end portions.
2. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the pair of inserts are
welded to a respective one of the end portions.
3. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the pair of inserts is
coupled to a respective one of the end portions by plug
welding.
4. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the pair of inserts is
coupled to a respective one of the end portions by point
welding.
5. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the pair of inserts is
press fitted within a respective one of the end portions.
6. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the pair of end portions
has at least one wall bent around a respective one of the
inserts.
7. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein each of the end portions
has a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of sidewalls extending
between the top and bottom walls, such that the insert is received
between the top wall, the bottom wall and the sidewalls.
8. The steering axle of claim 7 wherein each of the top and bottom
walls of the hollow tube has an inner surface that is welded to the
insert.
9. The steering axle of claim 7 wherein each the sidewalls
terminates with a concave edge that is welded to the insert.
10. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube has an
intermediate portion in connection between the pair of end
portions, and the hollow tube has a vertically offset configuration
such that the pair of end portions is elevated with respect to the
intermediate portion.
11. The steering axle of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube has an
intermediate portion in connection between the pair of end
portions, and the hollow tube has a horizontally offset
configuration such that the pair of end portions is offset in one
of a fore direction or an aft direction with respect to the
intermediate portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to automotive
components, and more particularly, to a steering axle for vehicles,
such as commercial heavy trucks and trailers.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] A steering mechanism of a vehicle includes a front or an
auxiliary non-drive steering axle (hereinafter referred to as
"steering axle") carried by a pair of wheels to support torsional
and bending loads in connection with those wheels. The steering
axle may be mounted between the front wheels of a rear wheel drive
vehicle. Specifically, each front wheel may have a knuckle, and the
steering axle may have a pair of end portions coupled to a
respective one of the knuckles by a kingpin. Of course, the
steering axle may instead be an auxiliary axle on the rear of the
front axle, on the rear of the rear axle, or in a trailer.
[0003] The steering mechanism further includes a pair of kingpin
bosses, which may be integral parts of the steering axle beam or
welded onto the beam. The kingpin bosses may need to be welded in
high-stress areas and may require a long length of welding.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] One embodiment of a steering axle may include a hollow tube
having a pair of end portions. The steering axle may also include a
pair of inserts coupled to a respective one of the end portions for
reinforcing the same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0005] The advantages and features of the present disclosure will
become better understood with reference to the detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a steering
axle;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the steering axle of FIG. 1,
showing the steering axle having a vertically offset
configuration;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of the steering axle of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one end portion of the
steering axle of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one end portion of the
steering axle of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the end portion of FIG.
1, showing the end portion pivotally carried by a knuckle;
[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of another embodiment of an end
portion of a steering axle;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 9, showing the steering axle having an end portion and an
insert joined with the end portion by plug welding;
[0016] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of yet another embodiment of an
end portion of a steering axle;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of
FIG. 11, showing the steering axle having an end portion and an
insert joined with the end portion by point welding;
[0018] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of still another embodiment of
an end portion of a steering axle;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of
FIG. 13, showing the steering axle having an end portion and an
insert joined with the end portion by bolt fasteners;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a
steering axle, showing the steering axle including an end portion
that has a top wall and a bottom partially formed around an insert
to hold the insert within the end portion;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of still another
embodiment of a steering axle, showing the steering axle having an
end portion and an insert press-fit within the end portion;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a
steering axle, showing the steering axle including an end portion
that has a pair of sidewalls partially formed around an insert to
hold the insert within the end portion;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a front view of another embodiment of a steering
axle; and
[0024] FIG. 19 is a top view of the steering axle of FIG. 18,
showing the steering axle having a horizontally offset
configuration.
[0025] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0026] Exemplary modes for carrying out the disclosure are
presented and depicted in FIGS. 1 to 19. The exemplary embodiments
described herein provide detail for illustrative purposes only and
are subject to many variations. It is understood that various
omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as
circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended to
cover the application or implementation without departing from the
spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
[0027] The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of
quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the
referenced item.
[0028] One embodiment of a front or an auxiliary non-drive steering
axle (hereinafter referred to as "steering axle") may be used in a
steering mechanism for a truck, a bus, a trailer, or any other
suitable vehicle. The steering axle may reduce high-stress welding
and long length welding of kingpin bosses in welded beams of
steering axles.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a steering
axle 10 may include a hollow metal axle tube having a pair of end
portions 12, 14, which in this form may be identical to each other.
For brevity, only end portion 12 will be discussed in detail. As
best shown in FIG. 3, the end portion 12 may include a top wall 16
having an upper or outer surface 18 and a lower or inner surface
20, which in one form may terminate at a convex edge 22 (FIG. 6)
thereby providing the top wall 16 with a semi-circular shape. Of
course, the wall 16 may have other suitable shapes. The top wall 16
may also have a hole 24 extending between the upper and lower
surfaces 18, 20. In addition, the end portion 12 may also include a
bottom wall 26 spaced apart from the top wall 16. The bottom wall
26 may have an upper or inner surface 28 and a lower or outer
surface 30, which in one form may terminate at a convex edge 32
(FIG. 6) thereby providing the bottom wall 26 with a semi-circular
shape. Of course, the bottom wall 26 may have other suitable
shapes. The bottom wall 26 may also have a hole 34, which may
extend between the upper and lower surfaces 28, 30 and may be
aligned with the hole 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the end
portion 12 may also include a pair of sidewalls 36, 38, extending
between the top and bottom walls 16, 26 to provide a polygonal
cross-section, such as a rectangular cross-section. Of course, the
end portion may instead have a cross-section with circular, oval,
elliptical or other suitable shapes. The sidewalls 36, 38 may
terminate along a length of the steering axle 10 with a respective
one of concave edges 40, 42 (FIG. 6), which in one form may be
cutouts in the sidewalls of the hollow axle tube. However, the
sidewalls 36, 38 may include edges having other shapes, such as
rectangular or square cutouts.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the steering axle 10 also includes
an insert 44 carried by the end portion 12. The insert 44 in this
form may be received within the end portion 12 between the top and
bottom walls 16, 26 and the sidewalls 36, 38. As best shown in FIG.
5, the insert 44 may have a top surface 46 that may include an
aperture 48. The insert 44 may further have a bottom surface 50,
which may be spaced apart from the top surface 46 and may include
an aperture 52. Further, the insert may have a passage 54
terminating on one end with the aperture 48 and terminating on
another end with the aperture 52. In addition, the insert 44 may
also have one or more sidewalls 56, which may extend between the
top and bottom surfaces 46, 50. As best shown in FIG. 7, the
sidewalls 56 may be welded to the lower or inner surface 20 of the
top wall 16, the upper or inner surface 28 of the bottom wall 26,
and the concave edges 40, 42 of a respective one of the sidewalls
36, 38. The steering axle 10 in this form may have no other weld
joint or other connection between the insert 44 and the end portion
12. It is contemplated that the passage 54, the apertures 48, 52
and the holes 24, 34 may be formed after the insert 44 is joined
with the end portion 12. In addition, the insert 44 may have other
suitable surfaces and may have other apertures and passages or omit
the one or more of the apertures and passage.
[0031] Referring back to FIG. 1, the steering axle 10 also includes
another insert 58 that may be carried by the end portion 14 in a
similar fashion as the insert 44 is carried by the end portion 12.
However, it is contemplated that the insert 58 may be joined with
the end portion 14 by a fastening method different from that of the
insert 44 and the end portion 12.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, the end portion 12 may be pivotally
carried by a knuckle 60 that may extend from a wheel (not shown).
The knuckle 60 in one form may receive the end portion 12, and a
kingpin 62 may be received through the knuckle 60, the holes 24, 34
and the passage 54, such that the kingpin 62 pivotally
interconnects the knuckle 60 and the end portion 12. The convex
edges 22, 32 of the end portion 12 may provide clearance for the
knuckle 60 to pivot on the end portion 12. Similarly, the end
portion 14 opposite to the end portion 14 may be coupled to another
knuckle (not shown) and further coupled with another wheel (not
shown) as described above.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of a
steering axle 110 may include a hollow axle tube having an end
portion 112 and an insert 144 carried by the end portion 112. The
steering axle 110 may be substantially similar to the steering axle
10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the sidewalls 156 of the insert 144
may be further joined with the sidewalls 136, 138 of the end
portion 112 by plug welding.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another embodiment of a
steering axle 210 may include a hollow axle tube having an end
portion 212 and an insert 244 carried by the end portion 212. The
steering axle 210 may be substantially similar to the steering axle
10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the sidewalls 256 of the insert 244
may be further joined with the sidewalls 236, 238 of the end
portion 212 by point welding.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, still another embodiment of a
steering axle 310 may include a hollow axle tube having an end
portion 312 and an insert 344 carried by the end portion 312. The
steering axle 310 may be substantially similar to the steering axle
10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the sidewalls 356 of the insert 344
may be further joined with the sidewalls 336, 338 of the end
portion 312 by one or more bolt fasteners 364. In addition, the
insert 344 may further have one or more threaded seats 366
receiving a respective one of the bolt fasteners 364.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 15, another embodiment of a steering axle
410 including an end portion 412 and an insert 444 received within
the end portion 412 may be substantially similar to the steering
axle 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the steering axle 410 may have
top and bottom walls 416, 426 that may be bent or formed at least
partially around the insert 444 to hold the insert 444 in the end
portion 412, as compared to joining the insert 44 to the end
portion 12 by welding.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 16, another embodiment of a steering axle
510 having an end portion 512 and an insert 544 carried by the end
portion 512 is substantially similar to the steering axle 10 of
FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the insert 544 may be joined to the end
portion 512 by press fitting or the like, as compared to the insert
44 being joined with the end portion 12 by welding. It is
contemplated that the inserts may be carried by the end portions by
other fastening methods, such as thermal fitting.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 17, another embodiment of a steering axle
610 having an end portion 612 with sidewalls 636, 638 and an insert
644 carried by the end portion 612. The steering axle 610 is
substantially similar to the steering axle 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3.
However, the sidewalls 636, 638 may have elongated retainers 640,
642, as compared to the concave edges 40, 42. The retainers 640,
642 in one form may be tabs that may extend from a respective one
of sidewalls 636, 638 and be bent or partially formed around the
insert 644 to hold the insert 644 within the end portion 612.
[0039] Referring back to FIG. 2, the steering axle 10 may have a
vertically offset configuration such that the end portions 12, 14
are elevated with respect to an intermediate portion of the
steering axle 10 that may be in connection between the end portions
12, 14.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, another embodiment of the
steering axle 710 having end portions 712, 714 may be substantially
similar to the steering axle 10 of FIGS. 2 and 4 having end
portions 12, 14, respectively. However, the steering axle 710 may
have a horizontally offset configuration as compared to the
vertically offset configuration. For example, the end portions 712,
714 may be offset either fore or aft of an intermediate portion of
the axle 710 that may be in connection between the end portions
712, 714.
[0041] The steering axle may be advantageous for reducing
high-stress welding and long length welding of kingpin bosses in
welded beams of steering axles. In addition, the inserts may be
quickly joined to the end portions of the steering axle thereby
reducing manufacturing cycle time and costs.
[0042] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and
obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the present
disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and
various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
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